johnathome

In between jobs so decided to take the family to Oz as we now have time. Planning to go for the month of September.

Would love some thoughts/help in planning our trip since we are taking our son with him on this long trip.

Plan to take advantage of Qantas Aussie Pass but plan everything else.

Would start by flying into Sydney. Spend 5 days seeing the sites.

Fly to Alice Springs and make our way down to Uluru. Plan 5 days btwn Alice Spring and Uluru.

Fly over to Cairns and make our way down to Brisbane. Spend 2 weeks.

Fly home from Brisbane.

Does a side trip to Darwin/Kakadu or down to Adelaide/Kangroo Island make sense? Have the time.

Thanks,

Saltuarius

Only if you had more time. Two weeks from Cairns to Brisbane is a bit rushed as it is. You might consider one week around Cairns and one around Brisbane with a flight in between. There are many things you would miss out on doing it this way but one of them would be a lot of driving.

Bokhara2

Hi John,
Great idea and September is a good month to be here. Good weather and you'll miss most of the school holidays which begin at the end of the month.
http://www.australiatravelsearch.com.au/trc/hols.html

When you're in Cairns, suggest you take the skyway cable car to Kuranda and the steam train back. Your boy will love it and although Kuranda is a bit kitchy, there are lots of things there, including some Aboriginal dancing etc., that he would enjoy.

In Alice Springs, there are many things for all of you to enjoy. www.TravelNT.com
There is a fabulous little open sided "hop on/hop off" bus that does all the main attractions. I thought it was a great idea to get an overview and then go back to visit specific attractions. The Desert Park is fantastic. Get there early for the 10am Birds of Prey show.

The School of the Air & Flying Doctor base are sure to be winners with your son, too. He'll be at "big school" next year ... imagine his big eyes when he sees kids 00's of km's apart chatting to their teacher on the internet from their stations.

I think you've been very smart with your choice of itinerary, in that you'll have a good variety within a casual framework.

May I ask where home is for you?

Cheers
Bokhara

Sand_Dollar

I do not have any children but this site may help a little for Cairns.

http://www.cairns.com.au/visitor-inf.../kids-fun.html

johnathome

Thanks everyone. I'm coming from NYC. I've taken my son to Europe the last 2 years as closer and wasnt able to take off longer. Now that I have time, this is perfect time to go down under since the flight is 20+ hours.

Responding to Saltuarius, I was thinking about flying from Cairns to Brisbane. Basically spend 2 weeks on the Coast so limited driving especially since it is on the left side.

Sounds like I have enough planned with Sydney / Alice Springs & Ayers Rock / Cairns & Brisbane.

Still thinking abt Adelaide to see Kangaroo Island but probably enough flying.

Tks,

Saltuarius

I obviously do not know your four year old but most need breaks frequently. for this reason I would base myself at a few places where there are lots of attractions within easy reach. Cairns would give you a number of things to do as half day and then a few hours after a nap. The Atherton Tablelands would do the same.

johnathome

Agreed, he is ok traveling but he won't be happy if we pick up ever other day.

So slowly sketching a plan.

Arrive in Sydney and spend 5 nights.

Fly to Alice Springs and spend 2 nights before moving down to Ayers Rock and spend 2 nights there. Hopefully enough time.

Afterwards, fly into Cairns and move to either Port Douglas or Palm Cove and spend 5 nights on the beach.

Move down to Brisbane and head to an island to spend 5 nights. Then return to Brisbane and spend 2 nights before departing. About 20 days in total.